Our use of cookies
During May 2011 saw the EU e-Privacy directive, often referred to as the 'Cookie Law' come into effect in the UK. Below we set out our use of cookies on the website. A link to this information is shown on the bar at the top right of every page of our website.
Cookies are text files of information, downloaded to your computer or mobile device. The information is stored in the form of a small data file written to your hard drive. These contain information which enables us to personalise your use of our website and present you with relevant content.
Access to the secure areas of the website is dependent upon the use of cookies.
Cookies also enable us to analyse and improve the navigation and content of the website. Most browsers allow the user to control the cookies, including whether or not to accept them and how to remove them. If you disable cookies on your computer or device, some of the features of our website may be unavailable to you.
At the BMA, our primary use of cookies is to identify which web pages are accessed. This helps us to analyse and improve the navigation and content of the website.
We do this mostly through traffic log cookies and analytics services provided by Google Analytics and Microsoft Application Insights.
We also use cookies tracked through Google Analytics to optimise our Google search rankings in order to help users find relevant content.
We have conducted an audit of the cookies used on the new website using the Attacat cookie audit tool. We browsed a number of pages on the site to build up an accurate list of cookies used.
Cookies used in the website
The table below describes the cookies being used in the website now. As the website develops, cookie usage may change and this list will change - we will update this page to include any changes:
| Cookie group | Cookie alert |
| Cookie name | bma-cookie |
| Description | This cookie is used to identify if the user has dismissed the cookie alert banner. |
| Expiry | 1 month |
| Explanation | This enables to hide the cookie alert banner - it does not track or store personal data |
| Cookie group | Google Analytics |
| Cookie name | _utma |
| Description | Used by Google Analytics to identify unique visitors vs. returning visitors |
| Expiry | 2 years |
| Explanation | Used by most sites – it does not track or store personal data |
| Cookie group | Google Analytics |
| Cookie name | _utmb |
| Description | Used by Google Analytics for generally visitor tracking |
| Expiry | 30 minutes |
| Explanation | Used by most sites – it does not track or store personal data |
| Cookie group | Google Analytics |
| Cookie name | _utmc |
| Description | Used by Google Analytics to identify unique visitors vs. returning visitors |
| Expiry | Not set – cleared on browser close |
| Explanation | Used by most sites – it does not track or store personal data |
| Cookie group | Google Analytics |
| Cookie name | _utmz |
| Description | Used by Google Analytics for tracking source visits (ie where the user came from such as a search engine result, or direct link) |
| Expiry | 6 months |
| Explanation | Used by most sites – it does not track or store personal data |
| Cookie group | Microsoft Application Insights |
| Cookie name | ai_session |
| Description | This cookie is associated with the Microsoft Application Insights software, which collects statictical usage and telemetry information. |
| Expiry | 1 hour |
| Explanation | This will enable to monitor the site performance and any errors caused while browsing the site - This is a unique anonymous session identifier cookie |
| Cookie group | Microsoft Application Insights |
| Cookie name | ai_user |
| Description | This cookie is associated with the Microsoft Application Insights software, which collects statictical usage and telemetry information. |
| Expiry | 1 hour |
| Explanation | This will enable to monitor the site performance and any errors caused while browsing the site - This is a unique anonymous session identifier cookie enabling counting of the number of users accessing the application over time. |
Please note that we do not control the use of third party cookies (such as Google, Twitter and Facebook) - you should check their privacy policies if you have any concerns.
We do not use cookies to:
- Collect any personally identifiable information without first clearly asking for your express permission (we would only do this openly by requesting such information in an online form)
- Collect any sensitive information (we would only do this openly by requesting such information in an online form)
- Pass personally identifiable data to third parties
Information on the new legislation on cookies
See the Information Commissioner's Office guidelines
Enabling or disabling cookies in your browser
Please note that, if you delete or disable our cookies, you may not be able to access some parts of our website.
Windows PC
Google Chrome
- Click on Tools, then Options
- Click the Under the Bonnet tab, then Privacy section, and choose the Content settings button.
- Click the Cookie settings tab and choose your preferred settings.
Mozilla Firefox
- Click on Tools, then Options
- Select the Privacy icon in the left-hand panel
- Click on Cookies
Internet Explorer
- Choose Tools, then Internet Options
- Click the Privacy tab
- Move the slider to choose your preferred settings
Opera
- Choose Tools, then Internet Options
- Go to Preferences at the bottom of the File menu.
- Click Privacy and select one of the available options
Safari
- Choose Tools, then Internet Options
- Select Security icon
- Cookie settings are shown in window
- Choose your preferred settings
Apple Macintosh
Mozilla Firefox
- Choose Preferences from Firefox menu
- Select the Privacy
- Choose 'Accept cookies from sites'
Opera
- Choose Preferences from Opera menu
- Select Privacy
- Choose your preferred cookies' settings
Safari
- Choose Preferences from Safari menu
- Select Security icon
- Choose your preferred cookies' settings
Safari iPad or iPhone
- Choose Settings
- Select Safari
- Choose Accept Cookies and select your preferred option From Visited either Never or Always
- Note: If you wish to clear cookies select Clear Cookies and Data option